MOREL HITS THREE HOME RUNS, SMOKIES SLUG SIX IN DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP
Morel goes 4-for-6, hits three home runs, drives in five Friday night
SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies (20-30) beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas (25-26) twice Friday night at Smokies Stadium. After a 9-2 win in game one, the Smokies shutout the Trash Pandas 2-0 in game two. Chicago Cubs No. 7 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, Christopher Morel hit two, two-run home runs in game one, then hit a 428-foot solo home run in game two.
Smokies’ game one starter RHP Dakota Chalmers was fantastic in 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out four. RHP Juan Gamez (W, 1-0) struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings for his first win.
Morel went 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in the first game. Tim Susnara finished 2-for-3 with a triple and solo home run, his second of the season. Chase Strumpf hit a two-run home run and Jared Young doubled twice in game one. Darius Hill also had two hits.
Smokies’ starter RHP Javier Assad (W, 1-3) was terrific in game two, retiring the first eight batters he faced en route to his first win of the season. Assad struck out three and allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings. RHP Cayne Ueckert (SV, 3) loaded the bases in the seventh, but struck out Torii Hunter Jr. to end the game.
Morel finished 1-for-2 in the second game with a solo home run, his ninth of the season. Young was also 1-for-2, his solo home run in the fourth inning was his first of the season. Brennen Davis was 1-for-3 in the night cap with a double.
The Smokies will try to win their sixth straight game Saturday night as they continue their series with the Trash Pandas at Smokies Stadium. First pitch between RHP Peyton Remy (0-1, 2.51) and RHP Cooper Criswell (5-3, 3.59) is scheduled for 7 PM. Fans can hear all Smokies games by going to https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.
Saturday at Smokies Stadium is Guinness World Record Night presented by Cheerwine. All fans in attendance will help in an attempt to break the world record for the most pull tab cans opened at one time. A Cheerwine soda can will be provided to all fans entering the ballpark. Tickets for the remainder of the Rocket City series are available and can be purchased online, over the phone, or by visiting the box office.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the eight-team Double-A South League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.
